Laboratory Assessment Requests Information Collection Renewal

Content

ACTION:

Notice and request for comments.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, FSIS is announcing
its intention to request a renewal of the approved information collection for non-FSIS laboratories (state, local, or private)
that test food samples during illness outbreaks and recall investigations. There are no changes to the existing information
collection. The approval for this information collection will expire on August 31, 2026.

DATES:

Submit comments on or before May 26, 2026.

ADDRESSES:

FSIS invites interested persons to submit comments on this
Federal Register
notice. Comments may be submitted by one of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: This website provides commenters the ability to type short comments directly into the comment field on the web page or to
attach a file for lengthier comments. Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions at that site for submitting comments.

• Mail: Send to Docket Clerk, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Mailstop
3758, Washington, DC 20250-3700.

• Hand- or courier-delivered submittals: Deliver to 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Jamie L. Whitten Building, Room 350-E, Washington, DC 20250-3700.

Instructions: All items submitted by mail or electronic mail must include the Agency name and docket number FSIS-2026-0069. Comments received
in response to this docket will be made available for public inspection and posted without change, including any personal
information, to https://www.regulations.gov.

Docket: For access to background documents or comments received, call (202) 286-2255 to schedule a time to visit the FSIS Docket Room
at 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-3700.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Gina Kouba, Office of Policy and Program Development, Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW,
Mailstop 3758, South Building, Washington, DC 20250-3700; 202-720-5046.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Laboratory Assessment Requests.

OMB Number: 0583-0183.

Type of Request: Renewal of an approved information collection.

Abstract: FSIS has been delegated the authority to exercise the functions of the Secretary (7 CFR 2.18 and 2.53), as specified in the
Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) (21 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA) (21 U.S.C. 451 et seq.), and the Egg Products Inspection Act (EPIA) (21 U.S.C. 1031 et seq.). These statutes mandate that FSIS protect the public by verifying that meat, poultry, and egg products are safe, wholesome,
and properly labeled.

FSIS is announcing its intention to renew the approved information collection for non-FSIS laboratories (State, local, or
private) that test food samples during illness outbreak and recall investigations. There are no changes to the existing information
collection. The approval for this information collection will expire on August 31, 2026.

As a public health regulatory agency, FSIS investigates reports of foodborne illness, contamination, and adulteration potentially
associated with FSIS-regulated products. During these investigations, non-FSIS laboratories may test FSIS-regulated product
and share the results with FSIS. FSIS Office of Public Health Science (OPHS) Microbiological and Chemical Hazards Staff (MCHS)
will review the results and associated documentation shared by the non-FSIS laboratory to determine whether FSIS will accept
the results. If the MCHS lead investigator determines the non-FSIS laboratory result is acceptable, FSIS may use the result
to inform regulatory action (e.g., request a recall or detain product).

As part of the process to determine if the non-FSIS laboratory result is acceptable, the MCHS lead investigator collects information
from the non-FSIS laboratory and verifies that the non-FSIS laboratory can provide the appropriate certifications and documentation
of accreditation, such as ISO 17025, or another third-party accreditation entity covering the methods performed. The MCHS
lead investigator also verifies that the laboratory has submitted to FSIS all the necessary information, including evidence
of chain of custody, and the appropriate laboratory reports with sample identification, final results, and authorization by
the responsible official for affirming results. Finally, the MCHS investigator collects and verifies laboratory methods and
quality-assurance records documentation from the accredited, non-FSIS laboratory.

FSIS has made the estimates below based on an information collection assessment.

Respondents: Non-FSIS laboratories.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 3.

Estimated Number of Annual Responses per Respondent: 1.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 22.5 hours.

All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will also become
a matter of public record. Copies of this information collection assessment can be obtained from Gina Kouba, Office of Policy
and Program Development, Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Mailstop 3758, South Building,
Washington, DC 20250-3700; 202-720-5046.

Comments are invited on: (a) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of FSIS' functions, including whether
the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of FSIS' estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of
information, including the validity of the method and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity
of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information, including through
the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques, or other forms of
information technology. Comments may be sent to both FSIS, at the addresses provided above, and the Desk Officer for Agriculture,
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Washington, DC 20253.

Additional Public Notification

Public awareness of all segments of rulemaking and policy development is important. Consequently, FSIS will announce this

  Federal Register
  publication on-line through the FSIS 

  web page located at: *https://www.fsis.usda.gov/federal-register.*

FSIS will also announce and provide a link to this
Federal Register
publication through the FSIS Constituent Update, which is used to provide information regarding FSIS policies, procedures, regulations,
Federal Register
notices, FSIS public meetings, and other types of information that could affect or would be of interest to our constituents
and stakeholders. The Constituent Update is available on the FSIS web page. Through the web page, FSIS can provide information to a much broader, more diverse audience.
In addition, FSIS offers an email subscription service that provides automatic and customized access to selected food safety
news and information. This service is available at: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/subscribe. The available information ranges from recalls to export information, regulations, directives, and notices. Customers can add
or delete subscriptions themselves and have the option to password protect their accounts.

USDA Non-Discrimination Statement

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and USDA civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices,
and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on
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a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program
or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary
by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the State or local Agency that administers the
program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information
may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online
at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in
the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit
your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for
Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Mail Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Justin Ransom, Administrator. [FR Doc. 2026-06010 Filed 3-26-26; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P

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